Cover Alila Shanghai is where city meets soul for Hilary Fan
Alila Shanghai is where city meets soul for Hilary Fan
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At the intersection of heritage lanes and a neon skyline, Alila Shanghai offers a new philosophy for city living. Tatler joins digital creator Hilary Fan to discover an urban sanctuary designed not as an escape from the metropolis, but as a sensory lens through which to truly see it
In the restless thrum of Shanghai’s Jing’an District, tranquility is usually a luxury found only behind closed doors. But at Alila Shanghai—the city's latest landmark in quiet luxury—peace isn’t about shutting the metropolis out; it’s about learning how to breathe more freely within it.
Designed like a "smooth pebble" embedded into the city’s historic fabric, the property stands in quiet dialogue with the 19th-century Shikumen eaves of Zhang Garden and the neon-lit skyscrapers of the modern skyline. Recently, Hong Kong-based digital creator Hilary Fan joined Tatler to explore this urban sanctuary—not as an escape, but as a homecoming to the self.
See also: How Park Hyatt and Alila have defined a new era of luxury travel
Above Hilary Fan in the lobby courtyard at Alila Shanghai
Hilary Fan in the lobby courtyard at Alila Shanghai
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The art of the arrival
The transition begins the moment you step off the street. The architecture—a muted palette of earth tones and charcoal grays—immediately lowers the heart rate. In the lobby courtyard, the sculpture Gathering by artist Oscar Wang mimics the organic reach of nature with minimalist lines. "It’s quiet, but it gives the entire space a soul," says Fan, pausing as the sunlight filters through the sculpture’s "branches," reflecting on the water below—a delicate interplay of reality and illusion.
The check-in isn't a transaction; it’s an olfactory prelude. You are presented with warm lemon thyme tea alongside a wooden box of fresh herbs harvested from the hotel’s own organic garden. The scent is a deliberate nod to the aromatic herb gardens of traditional Shanghai homes—a "microcosm of the city’s gentle side" captured in a single breath.
Above Sophisticated evenings at Alila Shanghai
Above Enjoying traditional Shanghainese flavours at Weihai 500
Sophisticated evenings at Alila Shanghai
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A new ritual on Weihai Road
Dining at Weihai 500 is a curated theatre experience of the Shanghainese soul. The space strikes a balance between Art Deco glamour and old-world lane house charm. The star here is the chef’s cart—a "living menu" that moves through the room. This isn't just nostalgia; it’s a sensory performance.
The highlight is the Moutai-flambéed fresh celery salad with 5J jamon soy dressing—a seasonal Shanghainese classic. The moment the spirit hits the wok, a plume of flame erupts, releasing an intense burst of wok hei mingled with the botanical perfume of the baijiu. For something more comforting, the menu’s signature clay-pot baked yellow croaker with preserved capsicum sauce is served with hand-pulled noodles in a simmering, milky-white broth that captures the very essence of the terroir.
Above Hilary Fan enjoys Chinese Incense Making, a programme that is part of Alila Moments
Hilary Fan enjoys Chinese Incense Making, a programme that is part of Alila Moments
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Finding the "flow"
Beyond the physical comforts of the room, the experience is rooted in a series of intentional, sensory rituals. At Spa Alila, the city outside seems to soften as therapists blend Chinese meridian theory with Alila’s signature oils. But Fan’s most profound moment of grounding was the Chinese Incense Making, a programme that is part of Alila Moments.
Under the guidance of a heritage artisan, she practiced the slow, deliberate art of grinding agarwood and sandalwood, spreading ash, and carefully pressing powder into intricate seals. "The process is entirely immersive," says Fan. "It’s a state of 'heart-flow.' This scent... it’s going to be my specific memory of this place."
Above Where past meets present, the Secret Roof overlooks the grey-tiled roofs of Shanghai's historic Zhangyuan district
Where past meets present, the Secret Roof overlooks the grey-tiled roofs of Shanghai's historic Zhangyuan district
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The present is a location
Ascending to the Secret Roof—the hotel’s highest vantage point—as the sunset turned to shades of gold and rose, Fan took in a view that was a striking juxtaposition of Shanghai’s two hearts: the grey-tiled roofs of the historic Zhangyuan complex below and the glittering glass spires of Lujiazui in the distance.
It was here, as past and future were held in a single frame, that the bartender presented a cocktail mirrored the city’s complexity—creamy and fragrant, yet cut with the sharp zest of lemon and a playful, lingering spice. "It feels like Shanghai," says Fan. Ultimately, Alila Shanghai functions as a filter for the metropolis. It is less about escaping the city and more about experiencing it through a quieter lens. By distilling the surrounding chaos into tangible textures, scents, and flavors, the property carves out a much-needed spiritual pause—a place where one can finally catch their breath and glimpse the city's deepest, most captivating soul.
